E-Learning for Clinical Teachers
Educational tariff guidance
This guidance should be read in conjunction with the definitions provided above.
Postgraduate medical education has changed dramatically in the last few years and in line with increasing accountability found across the public sector, there are greater expectations than ever on consultant trainers. From 2010 the Postgraduate Medical Education and Training Board, requires that ‘trainers must...have a suitable job plan with an appropriate workload and time to develop trainees’. It is therefore now an expectation, as laid out in the London Deanery educational contract with Trusts that appropriate time for training is allocated within an individual consultant’s job plan. This will be monitored as part of the Deanery’s routine quality and contract monitoring processes.
Educational supervisor
0.25 PA per week per trainee
This would usually be planned as part of supporting programmed activity (SPA) time. However, a consultant’s workload might be such that additional programmed activities (PAs) are required or time is found within clinical activities. Trainers with an educational supervision role will be expected to demonstrate their competence through participation in the threeyearly cycle of educational review described in the ‘Requirements on Trusts’ section of this document.
In the interests of clarity, the Director of Medical Education (or nominated deputy) within each Trust will make a formal recommendation for consultants to take forward to the job planning process based on the tariff below. This will be subject to, and an outcome of successful participation in the educational review process. Please note that this is not a guarantee that additional PAs will be made available – ultimately this is a matter for negotiation between employee and employer – but it is the London Deanery’s view that these are reasonable expectations that meet national requirements.
Clinical supervisor
0.25 PA per week (maximum) independent of number of trainees
Clinical supervision entails no longitudinal relationship with trainees, and as such is already a requirement of consultants under Good Medical Practice. Participation in the three-yearly review process is optional but to be encouraged. The Professional Development Framework should be used to guide faculty development programmes for this group of trainers.
Training programme director
1 PA per week (minimum) per 40 trainees
The role of the training programme director is defined in the ‘Gold Guide’ (Department of Health 2008) paragraphs 4.12–4.14. PMETB requires that training programmes are led by programme directors who have responsibility for the management of both trainees and their programmes. Funding for training programme directors is sent directly to Trusts from
the London Deanery. Programme directors overseeing certain groups of trainees may attract a higher rate of remuneration.
Foundation programme director
1 PA per week (minimum) per 30 trainees
The foundation training programme director is responsible for the overall management and quality control of a Foundation Programme that consists of 20-40 placements designed for foundation training across the local health economy. Funding for the support of foundation training is sent directly to Trusts from the London Deanery on a per trainee basis and may be used flexibly by Trusts.
College or specialty tutor
The London Deanery does not hold a view on the job planning requirements of College or specialty tutors as their role and level of involvement in local education varies from Trust to Trust and across specialties. Increasingly though, tutors may find themselves playing an important part in the selection and reaccreditation of educational supervisors and will normally be accountable to the Director of Medical Education.
Director of Medical Education/Clinical Tutor
3–5 PAs per week
Directors of medical education and clinical tutors will work to a Trust job description and time allocated within the job plan. Historically, clinical tutors and directors of medical education have been dually funded by Trusts and (to a limited) extent, the Deanery. These important posts, and associate positions are being increasingly developed and supported and in large Trusts the sessional commitment may rise to as much as full time.
Other educational tasks
From time to time consultants will be required to participate in other educational activity such as attendance at specialty training or School committee meetings, Deanery meetings, participation in recruitment episodes and other Trust-based educational activity such as teaching or facilitation in simulation centres. It is not possible to provide blanket guidance around these many and diverse educational responsibilities and these elements of an individual’s role should be allocated time in the job plan by individual negotiation.